Teledermatology Globally: Why do it ?

There is a shortage of dermatologists everywhere

The problem is that we have a shortage of physicians. We have a shortage of resources, and these are limiting access to health care. In some parts of the world, as few as 10 physicians exist for every 100,000 people like in Sub-Saharan Africa with no dermatologists at all.
In the world, when we look at the United States and places like Western Europe, we see that doctors are very well-represented.
- However, when you look in other places like India and China, it seems like they are well-represented here, but since there are half the world’s population, really this is still underrepresented.
But other places like Africa basically disappear because they effectively have no physicians for their number of people.

That brings us to defining what is health equity as compared to equality?
“Equality” is just giving everyone the same thing, but it’s important that we’re not giving too much to people that don’t need it and we’re giving nearly enough to those who need even more.
Therefore “health equity” means every person, regardless of background, social or economic status, and geographical location has a fair opportunity to attain his health potential.

Jules Lipoff. Teledermatology in the US. 8th World Congress of Teledermatology, Skin Imaging and AI in Skin diseases – November 2020